THE UPSTART and STAR OF THE SEA Get Readings as Part of Irish Arts Center's 'Playworks' Series Tonight

A reading series of new plays called "Playworks" will run at the Irish Arts Center this fall. Building on the organization's commitment to nurture the development of new work, the center will present staged readings of two works-in-progress drawn from an open call for play submissions last spring.

September 11 | 6 pm

The Upstart
Written by Emily DeVoti
Directed by Tim Ruddy

FREE | reservations essential. Reserve tickets at http://irishartscenter.org/literature/playworks.html or by calling 866-811-4111.

Fleeing a soured marriage, Laura sets out to find her own modest Brooklyn apartment and make a new life for herself as a writer. Her days are suffocated by the diva-esque whinings of an old vulnerable Irish actress, a quietly gruff butcher, and Brigid Hitler -- the character of her play whom she based on Adolph Hitler's Irish sister-in-law. Gathered memories intertwine, and slowly Laura gains the courage to stand up for her beliefs in this empowering play about a young woman trying desperately to overcome the obstacles in everyday life.

Running Time: 90 minutes.

September 11 | 8 pm

Star of the Sea
Written by Lisa Tierney-Keogh
Directed by Matt Torney

FREE | reservations essential. Reserve tickets at http://irishartscenter.org/literature/playworks.html or by calling 866-811-4111.

It is days before Christmas and Lorraine and Darren have 24 hours until their North Dublin house is repossessed. Over a long, snowy evening of raucous drinking, the couple dismantles every wire, tile, shelf, cabinet, and piece of carpet in the house with the help of Lorraine's father, Liam and her sister, Marie. Faced with looming life changes, the foursome get caught up in their own dark secrets and need for self-discovery in their search for home. Highly charged and deeply resonant, Star of the Sea is a tender, honest story of family, redemption and love.

Running Time: 90 minutes. More information available at www.irishartscenter.org.

Both shows run at the Irish Arts Center, 553 West 51st Street, New York, NY. For more information, visit: http://irishartscenter.org/literature/playworks.html.

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